please log in to view this image Preston North End v Leeds Utd 26th December@12:30pm | Deepdale Leeds could close the gap between themselves and Ipswich Town to four points, if they can overcome Preston on Boxing day, and results elsewhere go their way. Ipswich Town and Leicester City have dominated the Championship thus far, and are both on course for record breaking points totals. Leeds mauling of Kieran McKenna's side may be the first sign of a chink in the Tractor boys machinery, who now face a seemingly unstoppable Foxes side intent on promotion back to the Promised land, at the first attempt. With one win in six, Preston have dropped into the second half of the table, but Leeds will know from experience, that these can be some of the hardest teams to break down!!! They last met Boxing day four years ago at Elland Road, when a last minute Stuart Dallas equaliser saved Leeds Leeds from defeat. Two months earlier Eddie Nketiah also left it late (87mins), as once again the spoils were shared. Preston wide man Robbie Brady is ruled out with a calf strain he picked up in the 2-1 defeat at Swansea City. Emil Riis Jakobsen (knee) is a long term casualty for the Lilywhites. Leeds have no new injury concerns meaning Daniel Farke will once again field the same side that thrashed Ipswich Town 4-0. Jamie Shackleton (glute), Stuart Dallas (leg), Sam Byram hamstring) and Luke Ayling (leg) remain sidelined.
Hopefully we had a huge confidence boost on Saturday and that carries us through the festive period. I think this is as tricky as Stoke away so we have to take the game to them and quieten them early doors. Hopefully 3 points to put pressure on either of the top 2.
We’ll win, Ipswich will lose, they’ve been fortunate this season, they were awful against us, not a shot on target. No wins in three coming up for them, slippery slope ahead and they’ll be fighting for a top 6 finish
All depends how they set up against us. this season stats say they will play 3-4-2-1 so it's going to be men behind the ball. so it's going to be down to us to unlock them doors which has been a problem. but, some positive vibes Preston have only kept 2 clean sheets all season and both been away from home at Norwich and The Wendies. they concede an average of 2 goals a game at home played 11 conceded 22. They always start a season well and fall away which again they are doing this season. If we go there on full throttle we will win simple as that but Football isn't that easy. expecting a win and my head says a comfortable one. but I'd also take a 1-0 win with a goal off someone's arse. all I want is them 3pts in any form.
Preston as tricky as Stoke but could also be a walkover for us. However I do believe we will see a couple of changes to make sure we have some fresh weapons for Leicester. I think Gnonto and Bamford start and I dont want to see Bamford on the pitch in reality but for some reason……. If he wants to change things around play Piroe up top
For me in the second half of the season we need a change of style away from home and it needs to be less about controlling the game and more about going longer quicker. This will lead to more turnovers of possession which in turn will give the home side the belief to attack us more to try and win the game. In theory then the exact type of match that suits the team with the better players. Yes it might lead to losing a few but Leicester have shown you can do just that as long as you don't get bogged down drawing too many games as we have done. ( 6 draws to Leicester's 1)
We are certainly capable of letting teams have the ball alot more when playing away from home and setting traps to counter them with our pace. Our problem when teams get on top of us, like Sunderland did, is that we drop deeper and deeper and we don't seem to have the composure to break. That's a tactical error by the manager and his coaches. There should be triggers when the opposition play the ball in to certain areas that instigates the press so we can pounce with numbers at speed. We certainly lack that in our away performances.
Let’s hope so. Normally I’d be hoping rivals would draw but we are so far behind the two of them we can’t expect to catch them both. Ipswich imploding would be a great Christmas & New Year present. (as it’s us, Southampton will probably be the ones to take advantage )
so it's going to be down to us to unlock them doors. Leeds are good at smashing Wendies back doors in
My concern is how much the fantastic pressing efforts of Saturday has taken out of the legs. Preston played Friday night, so might be fresher than our lot. Hoping for 2-0, but I’ll be keeping everything crossed we don’t have a Stoke/Sunderland away performance. MOT
Game appears to be on sky one (channel 106) for those of you who have sky but don't subscribe to the sports channel
Get another beer on the go. Chew it down, you'll feel better for it. Hangovers are the reason I gave up the beer a few years ago. I had a glass of wine yesterday with my Christmas Dinner and that was my first alcoholic drink since August when a Spanish waiter mistakenly brought me beer.
Preston have had an extra day. They played at Swansea on Friday. Today is about getting a result, not bothered about performance tbf.
Surely today like all Boxing Day games comes Down to which teams players are the least and drank the least yesterday. Young millionaire can be expected to spoilt themselves rotten at Christmas so this thing this morning could be played at a snails pace with lots of early subs needed after a half hour
